One of the best parts of being in the cattle business for me is being able to work side by side with my parents and grandparents. Having three generations involved in our business is truly a blessing, as each generation brings a different skill set and point of view.

Sure, there are times when the different generations butt heads. How could they not? We’ve seen and experienced different things in our lifetimes. There’s always something new to try and explore, but often times, tradition wins out, not just for practicality’s sake but because the production method has stood the test of time. Balancing old and new is a balancing act, but I consider anyone who gets to work with family to be very lucky indeed.

BEEF magazine is celebrating the generations of beef industry leaders who have been influential in our business over the years. Readers sent in nominations for who they thought should make our list, and we’ve compiled 50 of our industry’s finest into a gallery, which you can view here.

This BEEF 50 coincides with our publication’s 50th year celebration. I’m so proud to have spent the last five years writing for the nation’s leading beef cattle publication, and I’m confident that we will have another 50 more years of providing leading information that pertains to beef producers and industry professionals.

With that being said, as we celebrate the BEEF50 this month, we thought it would be a great time for a photo contest featuring generations on the ranch. Send me your best photos of kids, grandparents, mom, dad and siblings working together on the ranch. Or it can be something at your ranch that has stood the test of time and stood strong across many generations. Feel free to add in a personal story with your entry – we love to get to know what makes your ranch a family affair. Please include a title for your photo, along with your name and mailing address. You can email me your entry at amanda.radke@penton.com.

Entries will be accepted until noon on Sept. 20. The top 10 photographs will be announced on Sept. 23, and readers will be able to vote for their favorites. Our grand champion photographer will receive a $100 gift certificate from Weber Custom Painting (WCP), and the reserve champion photographer will receive a $50 gift certificate from WCP. Three voters will also receive a pack of notecards from WCP.

If you recall, Michelle Weber was the illustrator for my children’s book, “Levi’s Lost Calf,” and I’m so excited to be working with her once again on this photo contest. She will help me pick the finalists, and I know she is looking forward to painting a custom piece for a few BEEF readers!

Do you work with multiple generations on your ranch? Write about your experiences in the comments section below.